#Which shoes my more optimistic views of the Internet as a whole

[groggle]

Yippee)))

@pennyroyald @anisecandy @deep-jellysea-deactivated202412 @groggle @mango-mentally-ill @nyaamaoutofreddit @valentinoappreciator @xyzee1212

Design what your blog would look like if it was a person!

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I tag @red-skady @superchat @eviligo @maplepastry @nek0hime13 @bestgirlsyndrome @gentlesakura @games2girlsdotcom @deadlycoffee @bunny-stickers @starbitsun @888lvl @little-ikea-waldo @delanore-roosevelt @fefeps @imnevernice no pressure at all!!

If anyone else wants to join dont hesitate to reblog!!

[twinfoxtails]

Touhou Arcana write-up

((So... my internet was out for a few days, and I have been playing Persona 4 Golden for a while, so I decided to do a write up for all the major arcana.

Everyone’s list is very different, SO THERE’S DEFINITELY GOING TO BE DISAGREEMENTS, but if you have any, let me know what you think!

Note: This is strictly going through Arcana descriptions and meanings!

---

0: Fool - Cirno, The Three Fairies The Fool represents innocence, divine inspiration, madness, freedom, spontaneity, inexperience, chaos and creativity.

Aside from the memes of Cirno being an idiot, I couldn’t think of a better tie than these two. (four?) All of them are leaders of their own right, they’re pretty much free to do what they please, and most importantly, creative and inexperienced.

I: Magician - Marisa Kirisame The Magician Arcana is commonly associated with action, initiative, self-confidence, immaturity, manipulation, and power.

THE STAPLE GIRL OF THE MAGICIAN ARCANA, MARISA HERSELF-... She’s the self confident one, immature to a fault, and her whole stick is ‘DANMAKU IS POWER’. So yep, this fits her extremely well!

II: Priestess - Rinnosuke Morichika The Priestess Arcana is a symbol of hidden knowledge or other untapped power, wisdom, mystery and patience when it appears in tarot readings.

Can’t get better than Rinnosuke himself, IMO. Father figure of both Reimu and Marisa, people approach him for wisdom at times and he’s also shrouded in mystery, and not to mention a really patient person.

III: Empress - Hong Meiling, Shinki The Empress represents mothers, prosperity, creativity, sexuality, abundance, fertility, protection, and comfort.

I really don’t have to explaint his one! Meiling is the bind which ties everyone together, as well as Shinki does, not to mention the bit about protection and comfort. There’s no better arcana for a motherly figure.

IV: Emperor - Remilia Scarlet, Toyosatomimi no Miko The Emperor symbolizes the desire to control one's surroundings, and its appearance could suggest that one is trying too hard to achieve this, possibly causing trouble for others; some elements in life are just not controllable.

‘BUT REMILIA IS BEST FIT FOR DEVIL’ you say! Devil’s more of temptation, and Remilia’s more controlling than being the symbol of temptation, and not to mention that she isn’t entirely selfish, actually caring for the residents of the Scarlet Devil Mansion.

Either way, both Miko and Remilia do sometimes cause trouble around them (Remilia especially), and not to mention really ambitous.

V: Hierophant - Keine Kamishirasawa, Byakuren Hijiri The Hierophant is a symbol of education, authority, conservatism, obedience to rules and relationship with the divine.

Keine and Byakuren being both teachers in their own right, and also quite lawful as well. Byakuren also gets the extra point of being in a relationship with the divine, being head monk and all.

VI: Lovers - Alice Margatroid, Sakuya Izayoi The Lovers Arcana initially represented two paths life could lead to, and thus a symbol of standing at a crossroad and needing to make a decision.

Between Alice being in Hell with Shinki and choosing her life to be in the forest, as well as Sakuya either being a vampire killer and serving one, I think this fits pretty well!

VII: Chariot - Chen, Yuugi Hoshiguma The Chariot Arcana is a symbol of victory, conquest, self-assertion, self-confidence, control, war, and command.

Ah yes, the arcana usually tied with war gods. Both are self-confident, and these usually have a goal they wish to attain at any cost. In this case, I’d put Chen and Yuugi!

VIII: Justice - Shiki Eiki The Justice Arcana symbolizes a strict allegory of justice, objectivity, rationality and analysis. In tarot readings, it means that one will have to face a trial of their justice.

OKAY I’M SURE PEOPLE ARE GOING TO DISAGREE WITH ME ON THIS BECAUSE SHE’S NOT JUDGEMENT-... But Justice is very different from Judgement, which I’ll explain below. But I feel Justice fits Eiki more, as she is the pinacle of rationality and objectivity.

IX: Hermit - Satori Komeiji, Patchouli Knowledge The Hermit is associated with wisdom, introspection, solitude, retreat and philosophical searches.

With Satori being the philosophical mind reader she is, along with Patchouli being the moving library, this is pretty much a big given.

X: Fortune - Tewi, Joon Yorigami The Fortune Arcana is portrayed by the Wheel of Fortune and symbolizes fate, luck, fortune and opportunity.

Can’t get any better than these two, for self-explained reasons!

XI: Strength - Momiji Inubashiri The Strength Arcana is associated with the morality about the stronger power of self-control, gentleness, courage and virtue over brute force. It can also represent creative or physical energy that needs to be or is about to be unleashed, sometimes out of desire to be recognized.

This is not physical strength, but inner strength, and IMO, Momiji is the most self-controlled yet also desires to be recognized by the higher ups for PUTTING UP WITH TENGUS-

XII: Hanged Man - Hina Kagiyama, Medicine Melancholy The Hanged Man Arcana is associated with self-sacrifice for the sake of enlightenment, the bindings that makes one free, paradoxes and hanging between heaven and earth.

Can’t think of anyone else but these two in this category. People in this Arcana are really self-sacrificial, and both of them fit the bill .

XIII: Death - Yuyuko Saigyouji The Death Arcana symbolizes metamorphosis and deep change, regeneration and cycles.

Do I need to explain this :D

XIV: Temperance - Reimu Hakurei, Konpaku Youmu The Temperance Arcana is a symbol of synthesis, prudence, harmony, and the merging of opposites.

No better person than Reimu herself. She’s the Hakurei Shrine maiden, mediator of both humans and youkai, going out to restore order after every incident and to keep the balance in check. Depressing job 10/10.

XV: Devil - Seiga Kaku, Kanako Yasaka The Devil Arcana represents the urge to do selfish, impulsive, violent things, and being a slave to ones' own impulse and feelings. Occasionally, it is also portrayed as a symbol of temptation.

I don’t think I need to explain Seiga, but Kanako literally tempted Okuu with the power of the Yatagarasu so SHE FITS HERE VERY WELL. MORIYA SHRINE CONSPIRACY.

XVI: Tower - Junko, Tenshi Hinanawi The Tower Arcana is commonly associated to overly arrogant, prejudiced and authoritarian organizations, which walk to their own ironic demise. Furthermore, it is also more generically used as an omen of doom and disaster.

The worst card in the deck. This card barely means anything good at all. Both are somewhat prejudiced, and Tenshi fits this arcana like A SHOE.

XVII: Star - Sanae Kochiya The Star Arcana is also commonly associated with hope, self-confidence, faith, altruism, luck, generosity, peace and joy.

Miracles. Faith. Joy. I don’t think I need to explain much about this one!

XVIII: Moon - Reisen Udongein Inaba, Flandre Scarlet, Koishi Komeiji The Moon Arcana is associated with creativity, inspiration, dreams, madness, illusions, fear, fantasy, the subconscious and trickery.

Three of them are quite creative people, with Flandre leaning quite alot into the ‘madness’ part of it. They can also sense things around them without being told, and these three are usually quite in touch with their senses.

XIX: Sun - Utsuho Reiuji, Aya Shameimaru The Sun symbolizes happiness, joy, energy, optimism, and accomplishment. Occasionally, it is also associated with one's initial happiness.

Both of them are just the biggest optimistic and energetic ball of fun you’ll ever meet, and Okuu does her job quite well! Aya... not so much, since her newspaper isn’t very popular-

XX: Judgement - Kasen Ibaraki, Hata no Kokoro The Judgement Arcana is associated with realizing one's calling, gaining a deep understanding of life and a feeling of acceptance and absolution.

You’d expect Eiki here, but Judgement is the reflection of one-self, and accepting who you are. They view the world with infinite possibilities, and I believe Kasen and Kokoro fits this out to the letter.

XXI: The World - Yakumo Yukari, Okina Matara The World Arcana is a representation of the world's totality, the symbol of fulfillment, wholeness and harmony. 

Don’t need to explain this, really! Gensokyo is primarily their creation, after all!

---

Anyways, if you made it this far, thank you very much!))

[hibiscus-hijinks]

Meet Laureline Schmitt, my applicant for @eeriesims‘ Clary! I’m sorry I’m so bad at editing pfffttt. 

P.S, outfit shown is her “date outfit” hehe <3

All the details are under the cut :o)

The General Deetz:

Name: Laureline Schmitt.

Birthday: Currently 28 years old, born on the 23rd of June 1991. 

Astrological Info: Cancer sun, Scorpio moon, and Scorpio rising. 

Myer-Briggs Personality Type: INFP-A

Species: Human but has witch-blood on her mother’s side which she’s very proud of.

Height: 5’7, but does stretches she found on the internet every night before bed in the hopes of becoming taller.

Sexual Orientation: Lesbian; doesn’t matter if you are cisgender or transgender, she just loves all the ladies. 

Gender/Pronouns: Female, she/her pronouns. 

Nicknames: Bun by her parents and close relatives and usually Laurie and Laurel by everyone else, but she really doesn’t mind. 

Occupation in Glimmerbrook: She markets herself as somewhat of a “Ghost-Whisperer” - basically, she just helps the Glimmerbrook residences with any haunted house problems and is skilled at settling any issues between the living and dead to help maintain balance in the community. It combines her love of people, her good mediating skills, and her life-long fascination with ghosts. She isn’t paid super-highly considering the amount of work she puts in, but she just really enjoys her work. Her aunt always offers to send her some money here and there but Laurie is good at staying afloat. 

Hobbies: She enjoys collecting antiques and fun knick-knacks, not necessarily for the purpose of curating and selling, but it does give her comfort to know she does have a flow of income to fall back on if it ever came down to it. She also enjoys reading and baking and all the nice homebody things. 

Fun Facts:

1). She really loves anything peanut-butter flavoured (PB and J? Pssshh skip the J! On second thought, maybe even skip on the bread…..).

2). She religiously wears the green eyeliner her aunty gave her back when she was a teenager (yes she’s used the same eyeliner for 10+ years…sure, her aunty who’s a witch did put a never-ending spell on it but on the other hand GROSS!).

3). She HAS to go for a bike every night after dinner….if she doesn’t she can’t sleep. 

4). Broke her nose as a kid when she tried to walk through a brick wall like the ghost character in her favourite show….she did not succeed but she now has a funny ice-breaker up her sleeve!

5). Is a firm believer in ditching the bra. 

6). Her dad took her to get a tattoo when she was 18 and it doesn’t really have a particular meaning, she just thought it looked cool. 

7). Laurel is not all too fussed about fashion, like the outfits she pulls together aren’t show-stopping, but she always likes to match her headscarf to whatever she puts on that day.

8). Her wardrobe is made up of exclusively op-shop finds and hand-me-downs from her aunt and mum. Well, apart from shoes, because she has quite wide feet. 

9). She’s been a vegetarian for as long as she can remember; she never liked how eating meat made her feel, and she has a love for all animals, especially cats…..and frogs!

10). Speaking of cats, she does have a little black cat named “Bazzy” short for Basil whom she treats like a toddler (yes she did specifically adopt a black cat for the #witchaesthetic).

Questions, Questions, Questions!:

1). How did Laurel meet Clary? 

Laurel was out on her usual evening bike-ride. As she was coasting past the public library, her eyes were drawn to the entry of the building. Specifically, someone going down the steps. Someone she’s never seen before. Laurel watched as the dark-haired beauty looked up, locked eyes with Laurel, and flashed a bright-white smile. All the way home, Laurel’s mind was cloudy as she replayed the moment. She didn’t really know what she felt about the girl she later learned was named Clary, but boy was she intrigued. Over the next few weeks, Laurel began noticing the newcomer as she ran her errands; it's not that she was too shy to say hi or anything, but she just enjoyed admiring her from a distance. 

2). What was Laurel’s first impression of Clary?

In the moment, she was a little stunned by Clary; not necessarily in a “love at first sight” kind of way, but stunned nonetheless. It wasn’t one thing that caught Laurel’s attention, but a culmination of details; something about Clary’s whole aura just really drew Laurel in. 

3). Laurel’s ideal dates?

Laurel finds people, including herself especially, are less awkward when they have something to do, an activity, to help ground the date, therefore for Laurel the perfect first-date would be biking to a beautiful private spot of Glimmerbrook for a picnic and a deep chat. 

If this is say the third or fourth date she’d be more than eager to invite them over to her house for a movie night complete with caramel popcorn made on her wood-burning stove, or going to the beach to explore around the caves in Glimmerbrook and have a swim. 

4). What’s Laurel’s ideal relationship?

In a romantic relationship, Laurel seeks a balanced give and take dynamic; while she loves to give and do for others, she does appreciate being cared for too; in the past she has been taken advantage of because she is so giving. Another thing Laurel really needs in a relationship is the opportunity to explain herself; she knows she can be a bit unaware, and most of the time her intentions are 100% good. She also would like someone who matches her calm energy and optimistic view on the world. Laurel is very positive and forgiving to herself and others, so negativity will start to weigh down on Laurel and cause her a lot of pain. She also wants a loving relationship, as Laurel herself is a very loving person, which has turned a couple of people away as she can move a little quickly in a relationship in some ways, even though she takes life so carefully usually; she just wants to hurry up to the ‘married for 40 years and we still lie in bed in the morning telling each other why we’re thankful for their existence’ kind of stage. 

5). What’s Laurel’s Personality Like?:

Laurel is a very calm and loving gal. One of her big strengths is being able to objectively look at things and shrug negativity off; say if someone at the fruit shop yelled at her for using the scale because she didn’t see the sign asking customers to not use it, she’d just apologize, explain it was a simple mistake, and move on with her day; she’s usually not a dweller, she prefers to focus on the present. 

She isn’t very adventurous, and doesn’t like to travel very far from Glimmerbrook, its her home. She thrives on the happiness of the people surrounding her, and does her best to make everyone happy, and is the perfect shoulder to cry on. 

She doesn’t like complicatedness, she likes a breezy life, so she can have the tendency to distance herself from people who are hot and cold type of people, or people who don’t make their intentions clear, and can be impatient with people who take longer to open up, but she’s gotten a lot better over the years at being more open-minded and aware of others more nuanced feelings. 

On that topic, she can struggle to see things from other’s pov in the sense that she can’t fully understand that not everyone can be as optimistic and idealistic as her, which is probably her worst flaw in a lot of ways. 

[eldritchsurveys]

945.

When did you wake up today? >> I woke up at like 4a at first, and then finally fell back asleep sometime after 6a, and woke up for good at a little after 8a. IDK why this happens, but it’s really annoying when it does.

Are you a breakfast person? >> I don’t know what a “breakfast person” is. I do eat a meal in the morning...?

How often do you exercise? What type of exercises? >> I don’t exercise. It’s difficult for me to find something engaging and fun enough for me to stick with it. When the weather cools off a bit I will probably take up morning walks again, but right now I’ve reached my limit with summer conditions and can’t be motivated to willingly drench myself in sweat.

Any favorite TV shows? >> Plenty. Here are three: Person of Interest, The Dragon Prince, Hannibal.

Do you pay attention to the news? >> I read news articles sometimes, when the subject matter is of interest to me or I want to get the full story behind something. Also, I get daily emails from The Flip Side, so that’s a bit of news every morning.

Do you ever donate a dollar to fast food charities? >> Not usually. I also am rarely at fast-food restaurants, so.

What type of books do you like to read? >> I like a wide variety of books -- genre matters less to me than whether the content is written in an engaging manner and whether I care about either the characters or the subject matter presented.

Have you ever enjoyed a reading assignment for school? >> ---

Did you get to decorate your own bedroom? What's it like? >> As a child? No. Now? Yes, because I’m an adult and I pay rent here so I can do whatever I want with my own room. It’s not really decorated in a specific manner, though, like it doesn’t have a ‘theme’.

What size bed do you sleep on? >> Twin, because that’s what fits in my room. Fortunately, I am a relatively small person.

Do you wake up easily to alarms? >> I would if I used them.

Do you stay up unnaturally late at night or do you get to bed early? >> I don’t think I go to bed particularly early or late. Ten PM seems a pretty neutral bedtime.

What are you usually doing if you're up late at night? >> If I’m up late at night, it’s most likely because I couldn’t get to sleep no matter what. It’s definitely not on purpose.

Do you keep anything on like a fan or the TV while you sleep? >> I have the fan on in summer because otherwise the heat would kill me. But I don’t like the noise, I prefer silence when I’m in bed.

Do you procrastinate with deadlines? >> I don’t usually have deadlines.

Do you put a lot of effort into school? >> ---

What food could you absolutely live off of? >> I don’t think I could live off of any food (barring survival situations, of course). I require an array of nutrients just as much as anyone else.

What do you get when you go to the movies? >> An alcoholic beverage, sometimes. Otherwise I don’t usually buy concessions, they’re too expensive. I’ve definitely sneaked many a snack or beverage into a theater and I’ll do it again.

Where do you like to sit at the movie theater? >> Back center.

If you're just lounging around the house, what are you wearing? >> PJ pants or shorts and an undershirt or t-shirt.

Do you like wearing heels? >> An inch or two is fine. I’d prefer not to wear anything higher than that.

Would you prefer a night in or a night out? >> A night in usually suits me, but depending on the kind of night out, I wouldn’t say no to that either. Definitely been getting nostalgic for dinner-and-movie outings lately.

Do you enjoy being alone, or does it make you feel lonely? >> I do enjoy being alone. It’s nice to just veg out in the apartment doing whatever I want, and I don’t feel like I’m being scrutinised every time I move.

Obsessed with any songs at the moment? >> Not any that I can think of.

Do you enjoy showers, or do you take them cause you need to? What about baths? >> Showers are a bit triggering for me for a tangle of reasons, I don’t enjoy them at all. I never take baths, those are a hard limit for me.

Shower robe or towels? >> I just get dressed immediately after drying off and moisturising.

Do you have routines for waking up and going to bed? >> I clean my face and take my Pill before going to bed. I usually read for an hour after waking up, before getting up for bio stuff.

Do you remember your dreams often? >> Not often.

Do the dreams you remember make sense? >> I usually only remember ones that have some kind of connection to waking life. The more esoteric ones are difficult for my brain to hang onto, I think. They come through less frequently.

How is summer going so far? >> I’ve had my fill of summer and now I am looking forward to fall. That’s the thing about summer -- it’s short enough that by the time I’m tired of it, it’s almost over anyway. By the time I’m tired of winter, the worst months haven’t even hit yet.

Do you spend a lot of time tanning? >> I don’t spend any time tanning.

What would you say occupies your time most? >> The Internet, I guess.

Do you keep your room clean, or are you not phased by mess? >> I try to keep my room clean, although the size and how everything is set up makes it look a little more cluttered than it actually is, which drives me batty.

Do you get hassled to keep a clean room? >> Who would hassle me...? I’m grown, I’m responsible for my own damn room for better or worse.

Do you do your own laundry? >> Sparrow does the laundry.

Do you think graffiti is art or vandalism? >> It’s both. Art from the perspective of me, a passerby who likes pretty colours and funky lettering. Vandalism from the perspective of a building owner or law enforcement official.

How do you like your marshmallows roasted? >> Until they’re crispy? Is there any other way, lol...

How do you get rid of hiccups? >> I don’t do anything, mine go away pretty quickly.

How about brain freezes? >> I don’t do anything for that, either, it’s over in a few seconds.

Do you have any healthy addictions? >> That’s... that’s an oxymoron??? What do you think “addiction” means?

Are you old enough to vote yet? >> Yes.

Is voting important to you, or are you uninterested by politics? >> I am uninterested in politics and yet I still participate in the voting system. I didn’t used to, but I’ve come to understand the importance of participating and so I do my best.

Are you alright at world geography? >> I’m pretty abysmal at world geography. I know where some countries and geographical features are, and I can figure out the general area of where other countries or geographical features would be, sometimes... but mostly I just never put much mental energy into that sort of thing and I’m often wrong.

How about navigating your city? >> I can navigate this city pretty well. I’m good with cities.

What part of history interests you most? >> What part of history doesn’t interest me, at least marginally?

Do you keep your cell phone on you all the time? >> Not necessarily on me, but it’s usually somewhere nearby. ... *looks around* ...Well, right now, it’s all the way across the room, but hey.

Do you answer it when it rings or do you screen your own calls? >> I don’t answer my phone at all. Every call I get is spam or a misdial / someone thinking this number belongs to someone else entirely.

Are you big on the texting? >> I don’t text much because there’s no one to text except Sparrow, who I see every day in person anyway.

Do you like chewing gum or eating mints? >> I like the cognitive effects of gum-chewing. But Orbit changed the formula of my favourite gum so I had to give it up.

Do you use dental floss much? >> I don’t floss.

If you're biking do you wear a helmet? >> I hate the way helmets feel on my head but I understand their importance so I just avoid biking at all, basically.

What is your favorite outdoor activity? >> I’m not sure. Hiking, maybe? I do miss hiking.

Do/did you enjoy living with your parents? >> I did not enjoy it.

Do you have any favorite clothes? >> If I still have an article of clothing, one can assume it’s a favourite of mine. Otherwise I’d just... get rid of it. I don’t like keeping things I don’t enjoy.

How about a favorite pair of shoes? >> I only have two pairs of shoes and I like them both for different reasons / purposes.

How many different types of ID do you have? >> Well, I have a state ID, and a Social Security card somewhere (... I should really figure out where that is, I always seem to misplace those), and a birth certificate. I think those are the major forms in this country (I don’t have a passport, which would be another major form).

Do you always remember your license when you're driving? >> ---

Do you pay much attention to speed limits while driving? >> ---

What do you listen to when you're in the car? >> Sparrow’s iPod, usually. But she got a new dongle for the car and it’s Bluetooth, so now I can play my Spotify sometimes too. I have a playlist specifically for the car that’s my Liked Songs with all the metal and hard rock removed (which is, like, three-quarters of my likes, lmao).

What do you spend most of your money on? >> Rent.

Do you take advice when it's given to you? >> I don’t usually receive advice.

Are you optimistic or pessimistic under the shield of "realistic"? >> I feel like that’s not the whole picture. Some people are plainly pessimistic, some people are pessimistic and call themselves “realistic”, and some people are realistic. Whatever. I think my viewpoint depends on what kind of day I’m having, not some innate preference.

Do you avoid arguments or do you go out of your way to express your views? >> I avoid arguments but not to the point where I never express myself. Sometimes my trauma-inspired aversion to perceived conflict can get in my way, but I try not to let it win every time.

Are you looking forward to the future? >> I don’t usually think about the future. I’m busy enough with the present.

[daves-challenge40]

“What separates hope from despair is a different way of telling a story from the same facts.”- Alain de Botton

January 2017 and I am sitting in our fresh new space. The clean lines and glossy finishes are the product of months of hard work and years of planning. We have finally replaced our tiny galley kitchen, dining room and dysfunctional lean-to conservatory, opening up the space to create a modern kitchen-diner; a large, bright space in which we can relax, eat, entertain and enjoy family life. We have transformed our environment and changed the way we live for the better. The expansive bi-folding doors and high roof lantern flood our magnificent white kitchen with light and reciprocate a wonderful panoramic vista out onto our little slice of Eden.

I feel elated, fortunate, and relieved that the work is complete, but I’m also struggling with an uneasy sense of discombobulation. I feel like a stranger in my own domain. The whitewashed walls have yet to be adorned with the personal ornaments that will make it a home. Like a brand new pair of shoes, it looks perfect, but it does not yet feel comfortable. It needs wearing in. I am also wrestling with the inevitable sense of anti-climax, and already with every day that goes past I find myself monitoring the inexorable decay; a chip off the paintwork, a stain on the work surface, a scratch on the real wood floor; each tiny blemish irritating like an insect bite slowly eroding my mood.

When we moved into our house six years ago, we knew that we were taking on a long term project. The previous owner had been in residence for 50 years, and while he and his family had kept it clean and tidy, they had also kept it locked in the 1960’s. The whole place was like a museum, a faithful remnant of the patterned wallpapered, swirly carpeted house-scapes I remembered from my childhood. Retro, but certainly not in a cool way.  We knew we had a huge job on our hands to haul the place kicking and screaming into the 21st century. With little money at our disposal, I was forced to throw myself into DIY for a year. I taught myself how to strip and re-fit the original doors which had been clad in awful chip-board. I redecorated throughout, fitted skirting boards, boxed in pipework, and created a cupboard under the stairs. I was, and still am secretly very proud of my efforts, even though every now and again a tradesman will uncover an exhibit of my botched handiwork and recoil in horror as if they’ve found buried remains in the garden. “What idiot put these skirting boards on?!” exclaimed a recent carpet fitter detecting one indiscretion. “Yeah, it was like that when we moved in” is always my stock reply.

It took a further six years for us to save up the funds and courage to alter our living space in a more fundamental way. As 2016 dawned I began measuring the dimensions of the house layout with pinpoint accuracy and began mapping out a series of design options ranging from the simple to the wildly ambitious. Top of the range was a double extension and complete reconfiguration of the first floor. While it was fun playing with the possibilities, it became obvious early on that we would never hope to recoup the outlay on such a far reaching project, and if we needed to change the house to that extent, we’d be better off moving. Over a period of several months we whittled down our preferences, finally deciding, as is often the case, that the simplest choices are the best.  

With a basic design agreed we then had to get the thing built. Finding a tradesman that you can trust is not always an easy task, and again in this respect we were fortunate in living two doors down from Stu, an excellent and experienced builder who has also become a good friend over the years. As we could not afford to move out of home for the four months it would take to complete the work, it was hugely reassuring to have a friend taking a lead with the work and guiding us through the technical and aesthetic options along the way, and as a perfectionist, we knew Stu would do an excellent job.

Work started on July the 11th and finished on the 17th of November. During that time, I’m not going to lie; life was a strain at times, having to eat our microwave dinners huddled in front of the television in a stripped and undecorated front room, and then doing the washing up in the bath. The kids were magnificent, they never complained about the mess or the cramped conditions, having to also cope with starting school and pre-school for the first time during that period. But towards the end Emily and I were getting increasingly fraught and willing every day for the work to be finished.

Now, slouched in our new Ikea sofa, I am soberly ruminating about my new environment, and the new world we find ourselves living in. And I am melancholy. I have been since the start of the New Year, and it has been a struggle to get myself in a positive frame of mind for the year ahead. There are several reasons for my funk, but the most prominent has undoubtedly been the unravelling of global stability since the political upheavals of the EU referendum and the American presidential election. Now, I am well aware that some people don’t share this pessimistic view of recent events. To many these undoubtedly seismic shifts in world politics mark a well overdue jolt to the old order that will reinvigorate democracy. If that’s you, and your sleep has not been unduly disturbed by our nonsensical and entirely self-destructive exit from Europe, or a clearly unstable narcissist, signing away our children’s futures for the sake of his ego, then well done, I’m pleased for you. But I’m afraid I don’t share your optimism.

When I was growing up I remember watching government information films about what to do in a nuclear attack and feeling absolutely petrified. I would have only been a young child at the time, but could sense the acute world tension and anxiety as the cold war of the early 1980’s escalated and a nuclear holocaust grew imminent. I can also recall the unease I felt as I questioned my parents on what it meant to be at war with Argentina in 1982 and Iraq in 1990. Watching recent world events unfurl has brought back those eerie feelings of disquiet and foreboding, emotions it now seems my children will also have to endure.

It should be said that I am new to such left-leaning feelings of angst and despair. My political stance has always been pragmatic and moderate. In the past I have watched approvingly as our main political parties squabbled over the centre ground in the expectation that this is where the ever more rational and increasingly educated masses will inevitably congregate. But it is hard to get excited about temperate political ideals. And then seemingly overnight came the paradigm shift; The Internet. That huge sprawl of unfettered information and social connection, at once a repository for unlimited hope and unlimited despair; a macrocosm of the ying and yang of the human condition. It has brought humanity together on a global scale, and like a huge swaying crowd at a football match, one shove can send a ripple of panic, one pull can create a seismic surge. And so it proved in 2016. A small group of religious fanatics with murderous intent have a media platform to sow hatred and fear. A billionaire huckster with no political experience can hoodwink a nation with jingo and lies, and then have the chutzpah to claim he is the victim of fake news.

We live in a crazy and unsettling world all of a sudden, so it is in a sense no surprise that people are scuttling back to the comfort of tribalism and responding to the clarion calls of former glory.

The world is in tension. The old systems of government and belief are creaking as they struggle to hold back the tide of the information age. This in turn has had a polarizing affect as people either try to shore up the old guard or rush to tear it down. But this disunity is frustrating coming as it does at a time in human history when life on earth itself is threatened by alarming rates of climate change and pollution.

On November 11th 2016, a few days after our kitchen was completed, and three days after I stared in incredulity at the television as it revealed the results of the presidential election, I attended a talk given by a Professor of Climate Change at the University of Southampton. Although I now forget the name of the speaker, what he said had a profound effect on me. He began his speech by demonstrating that global warming is spiraling out of control and that even the most optimistic projections show that we will not meet global targets to limit warming to 1.5 degrees –seen by most scientists as the tipping point towards catastrophic climate change. Only an immediate, monumental global response could hope to change this inevitability. This was pretty sobering news coming from an expert, and just days after the world’s most famous climate change denier had become the most powerful man on the planet.

The Professor did his best to end his talk with some positivity; that we as individuals can make a difference; that collectives in Southampton and elsewhere were changing council policy on the environment etc, but it was very difficult not to take away anything other than the plaintive Caledonian cry of Private Fraser that we’re all doomed.

Over two years have passed since I listened to that talk and in the intervening period I have struggled to make sense of what is happening in the world and my place in it. I have lain awake at night wracked with guilt that I have brought children into a world on the verge of self-destruction. I’ve then witnessed those same children, in a remarkable act of parody; begin to destroy my environment – in particular our lovely new extension. There are now cracks appearing in the plaster, chips in the doorframes and bogeys smeared in a variety of patterns across the walls.

We have a choice whether to focus on the ravages of time and yearn with dewy eyed nostalgia for the triumphs of the past. Or we can get busy living, enjoying the ride of life, accepting its bumps and detours, striving for change confident that hope comes with renewal.

I have been guilty of falling into some not insignificant despair over recent months. But I’m also beginning to become aware of some green-shoots of hope for humanity. Whether it is 29 year old Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortese laying out at an elemental level the blatant corruption inherent in the US system of government, or 15 year old Swedish student Greta Thunberg speaking truth to power with disarming eloquence and sparking the student demonstrations for climate change action we have seen today, there is a feeling that social media can play an important role in allowing individuals, young individuals, a platform on which they can help to change the world. Perhaps this strange new world of technological possibility does not have to lead to a dystopian future after all. Perhaps we are on the verge of a new unity, with the ability to alter our environment for the collective good.

The List •1 Write a blog •2 Have a non alcoholic month •3 Put ON weight •4 Improve my diet •5 Go to the dentist •6 Go for a dip in the sea on New Years Day •7 Run every day for a month •8 Start a new collection •9 Run the Southampton Half Marathon •10 Cycle around the Isle of Wight •11 Climb Snowden •12 Take a ride in a hot air balloon •13 Climb Scafell Pike 14 Play a set at an open mike night •15 Take the lead on an African adventure •16 Run the Southampton Marathon 17.Take up public speaking 18.Design a kitchen extension 19. Climb Ben Nevis. 20. Build some garden decking. 21.Spot 40 birds in one day. 22. Have a baby! 23. Get a new job. 24.Record new music 25.Raise £2000 for charity. •26. Give a gift to a stranger 27. Organise a school reunion •28 Re-create 5 old photos •29 Write my family history •30 Beat my “keepy-up” record •31 Swim a mile •32 Pen a children’s story •33 Take up wildlife photography •34 Cultivate a veggie patch •35 Take up painting •36 Appear on a TV game show •37 Walk the Southampton “V” •38 Start a campaign  •39 Spend a month saying “yes” •40 Learn to play the piano

[fashiontrendin-blog]

Your June Horoscope Is Here and So Is Its Summer Bod

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Your June Horoscope Is Here and So Is Its Summer Bod

Sing me a song if you’re the pianowoman/consider the start of June the official start of summer no matter WHAT the calendar says. You can do that in the comments — that’s what they’re there for. You know what I’m “here for”?

All of this recent news about Pluto! It’s nonstop! It’s such a hot ticket internet item that there was even a “10 Things You Didn’t Know” article published about it.

In news unrelated to Pluto (but why, I know) I have something to tell you: July’s horoscopes will be penned by someone else while I “unplug” for a few days. I need two hands to double-fist hotdogs at all times and I can’t exactly type with my feet. Don’t worry or do: I’ll be back in August.

Okay, enough of the agenda reading. Susan Miller, are you ready? I’ve read your Astrology Zone ‘scopes and have distilled them down below, but I need you on the kick-drum, quick: IT’S TIME FOR JUNE 2018 HOROSCOPES!

Gemini

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GEMINI FIREFLIES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Fireflies was meant to rhyme with Gemini but then I realized you can read Gemini as Ge-mini, as in, GE-MINI SKIRTS! GE-MINI DOUGHNUTS! GE-MINI HORSES!

Who knows what the “ge” would be used for other than emphasis, and speaking of emphasis, let me emphasize your birthday planets!

Great month for you and your career. Any traveling you do will be like feeding that career of yours fertilizer without the whole “poop” thing, which is the unspoken elephant in the room of fertilizer. According to my mom, horse poop is great for your roses!

That’s from the horse’s butt. This is from the horse’s mouth: “If you are single, Venus’ move into jovial Leo from June 13 to July 9 is good news for you. Your best time to meet someone interesting will be during that period, on a short trip to a nearby resort. Attached couples can revive their relationship by taking quick weekend trips as well.” Sounds like a real time to be alive in a party hat, if you ask me. Be careful about joining that club where people have sex in airplane bathrooms! I do not think it’s safe (you could get flushed down the toilet), nor do I think it’s legal!

Cancer

NOT to get weird but oh god, celestial sky crabs, I am so deep into that summer state of mind that just seeing your starry crab pattern makes me drool, even if it  looks absolutely nothing like a crab. I want to gently crack your claw and suck the meat off your thumb and I don’t care who knows it! They say you should never go grocery shopping hungry but I really should never write horoscopes hungry — in the SUMMER, of all places.

Apparently your work life has been “all-consuming” (Susan’s words; promise I’m not listening in on your conversations with your bffs), “but keep pressing forward because June is still due to be a highly productive month.” You are going to be a job-place celebrity!!!

You will get to chill on the 13th, however. Isn’t it nice to foresee some deep, deep breaths? You might get so chill that you get lost, however, so keep your phone charged in case you need to use Google Maps. Susan says space out your savings, too. Sorry that we both sound like your mom right now.

If you’re serious, you just might propose on the 27th. If you’re single around the 13th (that same chill day), feel free to propose too. Venus will be on your side so you might as well also get your hair done.

“You are a tender sign, dear Cancer,” wrote Susan at the end of your summary, “and that is what is so lovable about you.” I’m going to go out on a limb here given her use of the word “tender” and say that Susan may have been hungry while writing your ‘scope too.

Leo

Hello and hi to the coolest cats in the sky. Now tell me (or show me down below) what the humidity does to your manes? I bet it looks fabulous.

“Love and relationships will be front and center of your life as you start June,” writes Suz. There was a full moon at the end of May that might have, also according to Suz, pushed you to make a decision about a romantic relationship. It’s possible that you became engaged, or! It’s possible that you decided to join uncuffing season, which means you’re primed and ready for a summer adventure. Either way, you’re headed on the right path to get whatever it is that you want in love, even if you don’t know yet.

If you’re looking for a new apartment, look no further than Jupiter. You can’t move there, but this super cool planet’s going to help you find a room with a view and doesn’t charge any of those ridiculous finders fees, either.

The new moon on the 13th is great for traveling, and your social life is going to get more and more robust, as they say when they’re being dramatic and calling themselves “they.” Your career is also on the rise. I know it’s not your birthday yet and that’s killing you but man oh man are you having the best June ever or WHAT!

Virgo

Hi Virgos who can and can’t drive! I promise that by the time your month rolls around I’ll come up with a new salutation.

From Suz: “If you are eager to get ahead in your career, you must pay attention to June. You will get opportunities, but in each case you will need to examine the details, as you will be dealing within an environment of smoke and mirrors, and it will be up to you to separate truth from fiction. Who better to do that than an eagle-eyed Virgo?” OO!

So there’s that vague yet helpful tidbit. What you need to know surrounding it: dot your i’s, cross your t’s (but also cross your eyes because it’s picture season and dot your tees because polka dots are still “in” thanks to the 2018’s 1980s). Susan also thinks you should pace yourself. It’s going to be a head-down, get-things-done kind of month, but man are you going to produce some real gems — gems that you can stick in your portfolio and show the world that you invented jar-less mayonnaise, just when the world really needed it most, goddammit.

Toward the end of the month, you’re going to have to make a big decision about your significant other. Don’t let this freak you out! Anyone in a relationship knows that sometimes the most monumental decisions you have to make together often involves “What should we eat?” and “What should we watch tonight?”

If you’re single, have a Pringle and enjoy the hell out of the summer sun!

Libra

I’m LIBRA-ing, on a jet plane! Don’t know when I’ll be back again. Or something something never let you goooo.

How’s your June going, speaking of going? Also in terms of going places, I REALLY appreciate the ad for rock climbing/hiking shoes on Susan Miller’s website? Let me know if you see it or not — I might just be getting targeted, which is so flattering! This ad company things I’m a hiker? It must be because I’m currently eating some granola I just found in a desk drawer after a Cancer told me to stop dipping her thumb in tartar sauce.

“This should be a very sunny month for you on many levels,” writes Suz, “from career, creativity and job opportunities, and home-related developments, to romance, new love, and time with children. In fact, you may possibly hear of the appearance of a new baby in the family, bringing joy to one and all. June is your month, dear Libra, so drink it in and enjoy it to the fullest.” Would you like a non-plastic straw with that good news beverage? Do you even want me to tell you anything else??

How about dates? The first two weeks are primed for career progress. Meanwhile, June 1st (whoops!), 2nd (sorry!) and 22nd (there we go!) are ideal for capital L-O-V-E.

And just know that if you feel like you’re changing your mind a lot in the lovey dove-y department, that’s okay! Go slow and be kind with yourself. It’s the summer. I feel like “it’s the summer” is going to be my excuse for everything for the next three months and so far it’s working, so feel free to join me.

Scorpio

Hello you beautiful bejeweled brooch of a creature! Since you’re here with your stinger and your butt and your pinch-y claws (don’t worry, I do not want to eat those, but that’s just because I’m full on Cancer’s crab meat, thank you very much), you probably want to know what the month has in the astrology store for you!

WELL I WILL TELL YOU BUT I AM NOT HAPPY ABOUT IT BECAUSE I JUST GOT HOME AND LEARNED THAT MY STASH OF “HEALTHY” PEANUT BUTTER CUPS IS GONE.

I AM THE CULPRIT.

IT WAS A SLOW BURN.

Focusing on June because this isn’t about me, it’s about you: There’s some boring stuff in there about how you’re going to get your finances in order at the beginning of June. Good for you! (Truly. That’s not boring, that’s smart. Almost accidentally wrote “adulting” but I can’t be blamed for that; blame social media and balance the shit out of that checkbook.)

Travel is in your sign this month so even if your boss said no to vacation time because you’ve gone over the limit, be like, “But my horoscope said.” Works like a charm bracelet.

Susan seems to think you’re getting married in June — literally or metaphorically (as in, married to your career, to a big new apartment, to a business idea, etc). Either way, around the 27th, you’re golden.

Sagittarius

Sagi-double-dot-your-eyes-and-cross-your-t’s, I talked so much about horses in Gemini’s blerg that I half-expected to see you pop out of the celestial woodwork. And yet you didn’t! Which leads me to believe you must be busy. Susan Miller sure must have been given that your summary alone was three pages. Speaking of good things that come in threes:

Threesome time! “As you enter June” (writes Suz), there will be “a rare golden triangle including your ruler Jupiter on one side, Venus on another, and Neptune as the third point of the triangle and together they will create a vibration of great harmony and beauty. This rare cooperation of three important planets will buoy your spirits and make you optimistic – and rightly so. You have much to be to look forward to in life.” Isn’t that nice? What does that mean, though? Truly, specifically, I don’t know, but the general gist I got about your ‘scope this month was that everything, from work to love to friendship to creativity — especially creativity, is coming up roses.

But to keep the clichés going: it’s not without some pedal to the medal. June’s the time to make some serious decisions. Not to be vague but YOU KNOW what I’m talking about. Toward the 22nd, an assignment is going to bring in a whole lotta money. And if you put in the effort now — toward anything, I guess, by the end of June, you’re going to feel “in sync with the universe.”

Capricorn

Hi Capricorn, feta and watermelon salad! Don’t you look delicious? You do too, Capricorn on the cob with butter melting off. OH I love butter. I’m so hungry. Like I said earlier, writing horoscopes hungry is worse than going to the grocery store hungry, but not as bad as the last time I wrote horoscopes, when the O of my laptop wasn’t working and when I brought my computer to the store the Genius Bar Guy was like, “Yeah, this laptop is fucked.” He didn’t use profanities and actually he was quite lovely but it was sad — it’s been sad! — because I’ve had the same computer since I think 2009. Am I still talking? Are you still reading? What the hell is going on with your horoscope?!

Let’s focus on the answer: You’ve got a big decision coming up on the 27th. It might be tough, but Susan says if you can remain practical, objective and unemotional, you’ll be solid. (That sounds hard as heck, but you’ve got those horns to keep you centered. I think you’ll be excellent at this. Besides, you’ve got Uranus and Jupiter on your side, rooting in your corner, massaging your shoulders, cheering you on and feeding you Gatorade.)

“When you have Saturn on the Sun, as you do now, in a once in 29-year cycle, you get to choose your challenge.” Susan Miller said this and I think it was related to the above, can’t totally remember, but man does it sound like something I want stitched on a pillow.

If work has felt slow in the un-fun way, that will change after the 13th. While things are quiet, use the rare moment to hang out with your friends. Jupiter’s in your house of bffs, which means whatever you two or ten decide to do together will be what we in the stars business call “magic.”

Aquarius

Cute Susan intro to June for ya here, I’m just gonna copy/paste it and drop it before we get into the goods: “The little cherubs flying around you are working to make sure you enjoy June very much.” Okay! And aw!

You’ve got Mars in your sign until November 15th this month and it’s making you a brave ass aqua bear. Even still, try to get all your work-work done before June 26th so that you can enjoy your July 4th vacation you have planned. (What are you doing??)

The 19th will be a really successful day, so if you can save a presentation or a phone call until this point, do it. I have a question for you about hair conditioner, by the way, which is whether or not you think I can use a hair mask in lieu of conditioner, because I’m totally out of condish and keep forgetting to buy it, but I’ve GOT TO wash my hair tonight. I can feel it getting heavier and heavier.

If you’re looking for a job, revisit people who you trust from your past to give them a whisper that you’re looking.

What else? The new moon in Gemini — June 13th — will be key for your romantic ambitions. In fact, why not just let Susan close us out the way she let us in: With a quote, of course! “The new moon in Gemini on June 13 will be the first and most important one this year, helping you to generate new love if you are single, and for adding spice to your relationship if you are attached. The Sun and new moon will light your house of true love. This is the first and strongest vibration you’ve had to enliven your love life this year.” Damnit! I’m all prepared to move on to Pisces but feel like that could have been a great vibrator joke!

Pisces

Hi rainbow fish! The person sitting next to me is watching a booooooring movie about airplanes but I guess it serves me right for writing at 10 p.m. When you write at 10 p.m., you rescind the rights to your stupid tiny remote control that always gets lost between the couch cushions. The only good thing about any of this is that I get to listen to the steady clip of Mid-Atlantic Accents.

What to know about June? Ho ho! “You will have time to have fun in the first week,” writes Susan, so breeze through this fast and get the hell outside!!! This mandated party is thanks to the threesome Venus, Neptune and Jupiter are having, creating what Susan calls “an outstandingly festive vibration.”

This vibration is gonna buzz whether you stay home and make a big decision or choose to travel and see what unfolds (watch TSA, though — maybe take out the batteries).

Mars is going to retrograde from June 25th to August 27th, so if you have any grand plans set between those dates, see if you can organize them so that they’re wrapped by the 24th. But don’t get weird about it. Sometimes planets don’t know shit. (Don’t tell them I said that.)

Where they DO know shit, definitely, is in your love life: Venus will be in your fifth house of true love until June 13th, according to Suz, so it’s gonna be a reallllllll romantic time. Eat it up. Here’s a spoon. Or a salad fork! Whatever your preference.

Aries

Fresh Aries! Man oh man is it good to see you. June’s gonna rule. Susan Miller guarantees it. The first two days were intended to be super romantic. Were they? I’d love to gossip about that with you.

If you need to travel, write, give a speech or sign a contract, June 19th is the day to do it. (Info once again c/o Susan.)

You know what you’re going to do a lot of this month? Nest. You’re going to move into an apartment, decorate the one you have, hunt for rugs, finally hang up pictures, clean out your closets, yada yada. How are you getting all the money for this decor stuff? Well, once again, allow me to be but a messenger:

“Abundant money appears to be flowing in, so concern about your monthly budget is not likely to constrain your plans – in fact, you may have enough saved up to buy a house, apartment, or summer cottage.”

You’ll be very popular this month. Maybe you’ll wear a sash! Enjoy the fun and soak it up. Not that the party has to end, but toward the end of the month, by the 27th, you’ll go into full career mode. “Early June and late September will your best time to make key moves in business, and in your personal life, too,” writes Susan. Can’t wait to CEO-ya on the beach near your new cottage in our matching sun hats!

Taurus

Sh, sh, sweet baby sky cows, I know it’s sad that our birthday month is over. Did everyone have a great time celebrating? I sure as heck and hearth (my new home decor company) did.

Here’s something I have never seen: Susan Miller called Uranus “the planet of lightning bolt change,” and while that does nothing except make me think of Sweet Home Alabama, she says it means that we’re about to experience “major shifts” in our everyday lives. The Butts Planet hasn’t been in our home since 1942! What if it doesn’t even recognize us?

What to expect during these wild times: potential moves, potential grooves, career changes, new homes. Susan says we’ll be successful this month but does liken us to bulls in china shops, which I would resent if it weren’t for the fact that I actually do not like to go into glassware stores because I suddenly lose control of my limbs and forget how to interact with gravity.

We’re going to be focused on money management during this time, getting stuff done before the 26th like everyone else (Mars is in retrograde), and, when it comes to love, though Susan doesn’t fully recommend starting anything new, she’s also not your mama. She is, however, a fan of the bulls, and with that, she wants us to treat ourselves to a massage on the weekend of June 9th.

Illustration by Cynthia Merhej. 

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[deniseyallen]

Rob's Rundown: Week of October 29 - November 3, 2017

After attending the Buckeyes come-from-behind victory against Penn State at The Shoe on Saturday, Senator Portman returned to D.C. to continue his work on tax reform, with a focus on creating more and better jobs, increasing wages, and boosting the middle class. Portman has been a national leader on this topic. He will continue to receive input from Ohioans across the state as he works to deliver results for Ohio workers and families. Also this week, Portman urged the State Department to redouble its efforts against foreign propaganda, hosted a Facebook Live Town Hall, continued to promote his Stop Enabling Sex Traffickers Act, and more. For a more in depth look at Senator Portman’s week, please see the following:

Sunday, October 29

On NBC’s Meet The Press, Portman Discusses Tax Reform, Jobs, Russia Probe & More

U.S. Senator Rob Portman (R-OH) spoke with Chuck Todd on Sunday on NBC’s Meet The Press about his belief that tax reform will create more and better jobs, increase wages, and boost the middle class. He also discussed the state of the GOP, President Trump, the Russia probe, and more. 

Excerpts of the interview can be found here and a video can be found here.

Monday, October 30

Portman Questions Mattis, Tillerson on AUMF, Long-Term Syria Strategy

Portman, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, questioned Secretary of Defense James Mattis and Secretary of State Rex Tillerson on the current Authorization of Military Force (AUMF) and their long-term strategy for defeating ISIS and securing peace in Syria. During his questioning, Portman said it is critical that the United States “get at the underlying causes [of turmoil in Syria that helped fuel the rise of ISIS] so that we don't have to go back again.” He stated that while that existing legal authorities might be sufficient for current operations, a new AUMF “can be worthwhile in providing greater clarity and guidance, including to our military commanders...I think it can help you establish a firmer base of political support for overseas operations. I think it can send a clear signal of resolve from the United States Congress as well as the administration to friend and foe alike.”

Transcript can be found here and a video can be found here.

On Fox News, Portman Highlights How Tax Reform Will Create Jobs & Boost Wages

During an interview on Fox News, Senator Portman again discussed how tax reform will help create more jobs and better jobs, increase wages, and boost the middle class. Portman, who has held six tax reform roundtables in Ohio with local business leaders in recent months, has been vocal on the national stage calling for tax reform, including just last week during interviews on Fox News, CNN, CNBC, and NBC’s Meet The Press.

Excerpts of the interview can be found here and a video can be found here.

Wednesday, November 1

President Trump’s Opioid Commission Endorses Senator Portman’s Bipartisan STOP Act & Prescription Drug Monitoring Legislation

Portman commended President Trump’s opioid commission for releasing a detailed set of recommendations to address the national opioid epidemic.  The report specifically endorses two bipartisan Portman-authored bills, including the Synthetics Trafficking & Overdose Prevention (STOP) Act, which would help stop dangerous synthetic drugs from being shipped into our country via the postal system, and the Prescription Drug Monitoring Act, which would help stop overprescribing.  Portman released the following statement:

“I commend the commission for putting forward a serious and detailed set of recommendations to help address this heroin and prescription drug epidemic.  I am especially pleased that the president’s commission has endorsed the STOP Act and the Prescription Drug Monitoring Act, bipartisan legislation I have championed that will make a real difference in helping to combat this crisis.  It’s time for the Senate to pass both of these bills.  

“While Congress has made some progress in addressing this crisis by enacting the Comprehensive Addiction & Recovery Act and the 21st Century CURES Act last year, we can and must do more.  I look forward to fully reviewing all of the commission’s recommendations.  And I am hopeful that Congress will act with urgency in the coming weeks and months to review and address the recommendations outlined in this report.”

NOTE: The opioid commission’s full report can be viewed here.  Senator Portman has been a leader in the Senate’s efforts to combat the opioid crisis. In addition to the bipartisan Synthetics Trafficking & Overdose Prevention (STOP) Act and the Prescription Drug Monitoring Act, Portman is working on several other bipartisan measures to combat this crisis, including the Medicaid CARE Act and CRIB Act.

State Department Nominee Supports Portman Efforts to Counter Foreign Propaganda, Disinformation

In response to questioning from Senator Portman on Wednesday morning, Steven Goldstein, nominee for Under Secretary of State for Public Affairs, testified that he would, if confirmed, work to ensure that the State Department’s Global Engagement Center (GEC) is both funded properly and works, as intended, to effectively counter foreign disinformation and propaganda. In September, nominee for Under Secretary of State for Management Eric Ueland similarly

Senator Portman has been a leader in the effort to improve the U.S. government’s ability to respond to sophisticated disinformation campaigns by our adversaries. Portman and Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT) are the authors of the bipartisan Countering Foreign Propaganda and Disinformation Act, legislation signed-into-law last year, which increases the authority, resources, and mandate of the GEC to include state actors like Russia and China as well as non-state actors like ISIS. Said Goldstein, “we have got to make this a priority and you have my commitment and the commitment of the people within the State Department that we will do so.”

Portman has called on the State Department to use the funds authorized in their legislation to get the GEC up and running so it can begin to develop, integrate, and synchronize whole-of-government initiatives to expose and counter foreign disinformation operations by our adversaries and finally begin to address an urgent national security threat that our nation must do more to combat.  

Transcript of the questioning can be found here and a video can be found here. 

On Bloomberg TV, Portman Highlights How Tax Reform Will Boost Middle Class, Create Jobs & Increase Wages

During an interview on Bloomberg TV, Senator Portman discussed how pro-growth tax reform will give the economy a shot in the arm by increasing wages, creating more and better jobs, and boosting the middle class.

Excerpts of the interview can be found here and a video can be found here

Thursday, November 2

Portman Statement on House Tax Reform Bill Introduction

Portman issued the following statement on the introduction of the House tax reform bill:

“For years, Americans have called on Congress to fix our broken tax code. Chairman Brady and Speaker Ryan today released a proposal that moves us one step closer to answering that calling, and I commend them for their hard work. I look forward to reviewing the details of the House’s tax reform plan as we in the Senate continue to finalize our proposal. The Senate Finance Committee has held 70 hearings on tax reform over the last five years, and I’m looking forward to a full debate and committee consideration of our proposal in the coming weeks. It is now time to deliver results for the American people by reducing the tax burden on the middle class, helping American businesses grow and prosper, and creating better jobs and wages for our workers. We have a significant opportunity before us, and I’m optimistic we can get tax reform done.”

On Fox News, Portman Pushes for Redesignation of North Korea as State Sponsor of Terror

Last week, Senator Portman, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, urged the State Department to redesignate North Korea as a state sponsor of terrorism, saying that “the case is clear” and “this would be one more important step to exert peaceful pressure on the North Korean regime and has received broad, bipartisan support in Congress.” Last night, the deadline for the State Department to act passed without North Korea being listed as a state sponsor of terror.

A report on Fox News’ Special Report with Bret Baier highlights Portman’s efforts to relist North Korea a state sponsor of terror and hold the rogue regime accountable for its destabilizing and dangerous actions around the world.

The Fox News report can be seen here and excerpts of the report can be found here.

Friday, November 3

Portman, Blumenthal, Thune, Nelson Welcome Additional Tech Industry Support for the Stop Enabling Sex Traffickers Act

Senators Portman and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), along with Senate Commerce, Science & Transportation Committee Chairman John Thune (R-SD) and Ranking Member Bill Nelson (D-FL), and other core sponsors of the bill announced several technical and clarifying changes to the Stop Enabling Sex Traffickers Act (S. 1693), with the support of the tech community’s Internet Association. The changes to the bill were included in a Thune/Nelson/Blumenthal amendment filed today in advance of the committee’s markup scheduled for next Wednesday, November 8.

“This important bill will hold online sex traffickers accountable and help give trafficking survivors the justice they deserve,” said Portman.  “I’m pleased we’ve reached an agreement to further clarify the intent of the bill and advance this important legislation.  This bill has now achieved a broad consensus that includes anti-trafficking advocates and law enforcement from around the country, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, the National Urban League, and Internet Association.”

NOTE: The purpose of the Stop Enabling Sex Traffickers Act is to (1) allow sex trafficking victims to get the justice they deserve by eliminating federal liability protections for websites that knowingly assist, support, or facilitate online sex trafficking; and (2) allow state and local prosecutors to prosecute websites that violate federal sex trafficking laws.  The Thune/Nelson/Blumenthal amendment makes several technical changes to further clarify the intent of the bill — changes that are responsive to several issues raised at the Commerce Committee hearing held on September 19. These changes, which do not change the purpose or scope of the bill, do three things: 

Make clear that all criminal charges are based on a violation of the federal human trafficking law so that there is a uniform standard.

Clarify the definition of “participating in a venture” and ensure the standard for liability remains “knowingly” for websites that are assisting, supporting, or facilitating sex trafficking.

Permit state attorneys general to bring a civil action against those who violate the federal human trafficking law on behalf of a state’s residents in federal court.

On August 1, Senators Portman and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and more than 20 of their bipartisan colleagues introduced the bipartisan Stop Enabling Sex Traffickers Act  to ensure justice for victims of sex trafficking and ensure that websites such as Backpage.com, which knowingly facilitate sex trafficking, can be held liable and brought to justice. The bill was introduced after the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations’ two-year inquiry which culminated in a report entitled “Backpage.com’s Knowing Facilitation of Online Sex Trafficking,” which found that Backpage.com knowingly facilitated criminal sex trafficking of vulnerable women and young girls and then covered up evidence of these crimes in order to increase its own profits.  In September, the Senate Commerce, Science & Transportation Committee held a hearing on the bill, which demonstrated a bipartisan consensus for action.

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from Rob Portman http://www.portman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/rob-s-rundown?ContentRecord_id=0A6D2496-1F46-4D5E-9189-77BA76FF2B5C